Shot putter Edwin Rodríguez, bronze medallist at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, is part of Colombia's nine-strong squad for this year's edition ©Getty Images

The Colombian Paralympic Committee has named the nine athletes that will represent the South American nation at this month’s International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Doha.

The selection follows a strong performance by Colombia at August’s Parapan American Games in Toronto, where they won seven golds, 17 silvers and 16 bronzes.

Among the gold medallists was Maritza Arango Buitrago in the women’s 1,500 metres T11, an event which she will be looking to win in Qatar’s capital.

Arango Buitrago will also be competing in the 800m as she aims to improve on her silver medals from the 2011 and 2013 World Championships in Christchurch and Lyon respectively.

"Both are tough races, but I really hope I can climb onto the podium for the third consecutive time," she said.

Another Colombian confident of securing a podium place will be Americas record holder Juan Moreno in the men’s 200m and 400m T36, two of three events from which he claimed gold at Toronto 2015 along with the 100m. 

Dixon Hooker will be vying to repeat his Parapan American Games 400m T38 win in Doha, where he’ll also contest the 200m.

Meanwhile, José Belizario, who took the men’s javelin throw F11/12 title at Toronto 2015, will compete in the discus throw and javelin throw F11.

Mauricio Valencia will be vying to secure medals for Colombia in the shot put and javelin throw F34
Mauricio Valencia will be vying to secure medals for Colombia in the shot put and javelin throw F34 ©Getty Images

Also in the team is Parapan American Games bronze medallist Juan Medina in the men’s 1500m T38, and Yesenia Restrepo, the Toronto 2015 silver medallist in the women’s discus throw F11/12 who will contest that discipline and the javelin throw F11.

"I am very happy and excited," said Restrepo.

"These are my third World Championships and I have high expectations.

"I hope I can outdo my previous performances and qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games."

Completing the line-up is Edwin Rodríguez, bronze medallist at the 2011 World Championships who will compete in the shot put and discus throw F11, as well as Mauricio Valencia in the shot put and javelin throw F34, and guide Jonathan Sánchez.

The World Championships are scheduled to take place at the Qatar Sports Club from October 21 to 31.



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